The 2017 Clos du Ciel is exceptional, offering elegance, complexity and richness coupled with long-term ageability. It presents a red-ruby hue tinged subtly with purple. The nose is filled with aromas of raspberry liqueur, black cherry, strawberry, graphite, blackberry, and leather. Balanced and rich in the mouth, the notes of red forest fruits, cloves, vanilla and violet are stunning. Earthy and gamy components complete the intense mouth feel. The texture is sensual, silky and stylish with impressive length.
Reviews:
- Wine Advocate: This label comes from Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2017 Pinot Noir Clos du Ciel bursts from the glass with exuberant notions of kirsch, cranberry sauce, pomegranate and rose hip tea with hints of underbrush, moss-covered bark, crushed rocks, lavender and a ferrous waft. Medium-bodied, the palate is wonderfully fragrant and delicately played, with fine-grained tannins and a racy line giving bags of energy, finishing with great length and loads of earthy nuances. 515 cases were made.
- Jeb Dunnuck: White flowers, rose petals, vanilla, cedarwood, and loads of ripe cherries and raspberries all flow to a remarkably textured, layered, concentrated Pinot Noir that continues to open and change in the glass.
Producer Information
In 1982 Sir Peter and Lady Margaret Michael built the Peter Michael Winery on a square mile of rocky volcanic ridges that form the western face of Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California. The estate vineyards rest on steep hillsides ranging in elevation from 1100 to nearly 2000 feet. Of the nearly 600 estate acres, only about 20% are planted to grapes. Peter Michael Winery is best known for single-vineyard and estate grown Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The Peter Michael Winery remains true to its commitment to growing classic grape varieties in small mountain vineyards in order to produce great wines using classical winemaking techniques. Given this covenant to the product, only a limited quantity will ever be available.
